Who Is Arsenal’s Best Right Back?
The second in a series of articles on all of the best modern Arsenal players in every position.

Well, we’ve had the vote for keepers and now we move on to right backs.

Again we’re only including players from the ‘modern’ era, which due to my age translates to mid-60’s onwards. Luckily at Arsenal we’ve a tradition of outstanding full back pairings since the days of Hapgood and Male in the 30’s, and this ‘tradition’ has been very evident in the last 40 years, with some outstanding players on both sides of the defence.

So have a look, have a think, and have a vote. If you’re not sure, why not join our forum and see why other people have made their choices. Or maybe you just want to tell us why this list of right backs is dripping with coaching and managing experience, where as none of our recent left backs have had any real career in coaching after hanging up their boots?

Don Howe

1964-1967

74 appearances (1 goal)

23 England Caps

One of the greatest and most respected of English coaches, he was once an outstanding full back for club and country. Lacking the brute strength that most full backs of the age relied on, and without much natural pace, he survived and progressed because of his skill and vision. He was no spring chicken when he joined Arsenal, and a nightmare debut had many writing him off, but he was too good for that. An accidental collision in March 1966 all but ended his career. Although he was made club captain for 1966/67 he only played one comeback game before his injury forced him to retire.

He stayed on at Highbury as a coach, and either side of a stint as manager of WBA was first team coach to both Mee's Fairs Cup and Double Winners, and Terry Neill's FA Cup Winners. Don became manager in his own right after Neill was sacked before resigning in 1986. Later returned to give his experience to the Arsenal youth academy.

Peter Storey

1965-1977

501 appearances (17 goals)

Championship Medal, FA Cup Winners Medal, Fairs Cup Winners Medal, 19 England Caps

Although maybe better known as a midfielder who could persuade the opponent’s star player to have an off day with one ice cold stare, it was as a full back that he first made his mark.

Peter's style could probably best be described as uncompromising and unflinching. Never one to pull out or show pain, this distracted people from the undoubted skill he possessed which was to bring him 19 caps in England’s midfield.

Despite his on-pitch persona ‘Snouty’ was a quiet, shy person off the pitch. After leaving Arsenal for a year at Fulham he then drifted out of football completely. Unfortunately brushes (and worse) with the law followed, but these appear behind him.

Pat Rice

1967-1980

527 appearances (13 goals)

Championship Medal, 2 FA Cup Winners Medals, 49 Northern Ireland Caps

As Arsenal as the marble halls. The boy from Belfast who grew up close enough to Highbury to be found kicking his ball against the stadium wall as a child. It was his work ethic and willingness rather than natural ability that got him through at every level, to become one of the top division’s most consistent right back for a decade, and Arsenal's captain for 4 years.

Allowed to join Watford as player coach (under Bertie Mee) for a nominal fee in 1980, it was less than four years before he returned home. Maybe his experiences as a youth player showed him the value of good coaching more than most, but he progressed from coaching the youth team to the reserves to his current position as Assistant Manager (including a short spell as caretaker manager). Has now won the league in N17 as a player and coach!

John Hollins

1979-1983

172 appearances (13 goals)

1 England Cap

Hollins was another example of Arsenal getting a few years excellent service from a player thought to be finished (he was 33). Switching from being a cultured midfielder to right back during an injury crisis Hollins played with the verve and enthusiasm of a teenager. He was made captain and always led by example, his behaviour impeccable on and off the pitch.

Genuinely popular (he even appeared in government anti-smoking ads aimed at kids) he returned to Chelsea as player/coach before an unhappy spell as manager.

Viv Anderson

1984-1987

150 appearances (15 goals)

League Cup Winners Medal, 30 England caps

Viv had been part of Forests brilliant team of the late 70’s/ early 80’s, and was also notably England’s first black international.

When he joined Arsenal in 1984 Forest were in decline and his international place had gone, however his performances at Highbury took him back into the international team.

Tall, athletic, good in the air and on the ground, and with an unquenchable desire for victory, he would have fitted perfectly into a modern Wenger team. His jokey character made him popular with players and fans alike, and it was a sad day when he left to join Manchester United because he thought he had more chance of winning the title there. Oops.

Lee Dixon

1987-2002

618 appearances (28 goals)

4 Championship Medals, 3 FA Cup Winners Medals, League Cup Winners Medal, Cup Winners Cup Winners Medal, 22 England Caps (1 Goal)

As a 20-year-old Lee was given a free transfer by Burnley and found himself at forth division Chester City. It took him just four years from that point to being signed by George Graham for £400,000 (via Bury and Stoke). Within 18 months of joining Arsenal he had a championship medal and less than a year later he was a full international.

A fixture in the Arsenal defence throughout the 90’s, not only did he excel as an assured attacking full back, he was also superb at persuading opponents to go just where they didn’t want to go before depriving them of the ball (or worse). Whilst he wasn’t known as a strong tackler he was formidable enough to persuade many wingers not to bother him that day.

Lauren

2000-Present

241 appearances (9 goals)

2 Championship Medals, 3 FA Cup Winners Medal, 25 Cameroon Caps, African Nations Cup Winners Medal, Olympic Gold Medal.

‘Ralph’ joined us in the summer of 2000 from Real Mallorca and promptly went off to win the Olympic Football tournament with Cameroon, scoring a penalty in the winning shoot out. Took a while to establish himself in the team and although he came as midfielder it was at right back where he would settle.

Although born in Cameroon his family moved to Spain when he was 3 and he bucked the trend by opting to play for his country of birth rather than his adopted nation. However, in 2002 he decided to quit international football and concentrate on his club form, the dividends of which have benefited Arsenal ever since.

Please note – for all players only club honours won with Arsenal are included, although the caps shown are a career total and may include caps won whilst at other clubs. All stats are intended to be correct at the start of the season.

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